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TOP -- MSDS -- ORTON FIRING TIPS -- OTHER ORTON LITERATURE -- DAWSON KILN SITTER INFO -- PRODUCT INFO --

Teachers - see also the Teacher Info section for more PDF downloads and helpful information.

NEW Price Lists, 02-2009

Moist Clays

Moist Clay menu

Dry Clays and Chems

Dry clays and chemicals

Coyote Glazes

Coyote Cone 6 glazes

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

MSDS Section

Moist and dry clays, chemicals, etc. - section constantly under construction as new MSDS are added.

ORTON FIRING TIPS

All Orton Firing Tips

Download 17 of the firing tips in one file. Each tip prints on 2 pages. HINT: If possible, select the option to print two per page - it's still very easy to read and takes up a lot less paper.

Loading A Kiln for Best Results

Addresses ware and shelf placement, size of load, stilts, and heat distribution.

Understanding Heat Transfer

To get the best out of each firing, it is important to understand how heat is transfered from hotter to cooler zones. Heat moves through the kiln by convection, conduction, and radiation.

Cracking and Thermal Shock

Cracks in pottery may be caused by uneven drying or during the firing as a result of thermal shock - the rapid change of temperature, especially during critical moments in the firing.

Cracking and Warping Caused by Drying and Casting

Uneven drying is one of the biggest causes of cracking and warping. There are several methods to reduce or eliminate these problems.

Using the Three Cone System

Checking the heatwork of your firing is critical, regardless of if you have a computer controlled automatic kiln or a manual kiln with switches. Witness cones provide an abundance of information to ensure consistant firing results and prevent potential firing problems.

Cones and Controllers

Automatic controllers and witness cone use.

Avoiding Carbon Burnout Problems

How Carbon burns out and why it's important in firing ceramic ware.

Firing Handbuilt or Thick Cast Ware

Firing tips to prevent many common problems when firing thick/dense ware.

Firing Ceramic Bodies

What happens when clay is fired and what types of clay bodies are common.

Firing Lead Free Glazes

Glazes without lead are typically more sensitive to firing issues. Most commercial glazes available have no lead in them.

Firing Red Glazes

Firing "old" red glazes (lead-bearing) can often cause problems such as color loss, crazing, improper color development, and black or gray marks in the glaze.

Understanding Crazing

Crazing is the spider-web of crackles in glaze. Application and firing recommendation help to avoid this very common problem.

Solving Glaze Defects: Blisters, Craters, and Pinholes

Common glaze defects explained and solutions to preventing them.

Successful Glass Fusing

Tips and tricks on glass fusing, which is becoming a very popular sideline or experiment for potters.

Success With Golds

Golds - the expensive little bottles of it from Hanovia that fire at a Cone 022 to 017 range - need some special care for application and firing.

Success With Decals

Adding a little excitement to your ware can be as easy as a decal. This tip sheet helps prevent common problems. Bracker's doesn't sell decals, but you can find a wide variety at (in no particular order):
Bel Inc. or Harbon Ceramics or National Artcraft or Olympic Enterprises or Phylum or Urban Clay or Art Decal Corp or Instar (not a complete list of decal suppliers)

Making Foodsafe Ware

Important considerations for making foodsafe ware.

Success With Lusters

NOT INCLUDED IN FULL LIST Tips and tricks for working with lusters at Cone 022 to 017.

Improving Kiln Uniformity

NOT INCLUDED IN FULL LIST Tips for improving temperature uniformity when firing your kiln.

Success With China Paints

NOT INCLUDED IN FULL LIST Applying and firing china paints (also called Overglazes).

TOP -- MSDS -- ORTON FIRING TIPS -- OTHER ORTON LITERATURE -- DAWSON KILN SITTER INFO -- PRODUCT INFO --

OTHER ORTON LITERATURE

Orton Cone Chart

Paper-sized format cone chart with Farenheit and Celcius conversions

Simple Orton Cone Chart

No-frills black-n-white cone to degrees conversion

What Cone Numbers Mean

...and Why should I care? This is a GREAT handout for classroom settings and VERY IMPORTANT for all beginners.

Cones And Firing

Another Must-Read brochure. HINT: If possible, select the option to print two per page - it's still very easy to read and takes up a lot less paper.

Guide To Cones

11"x17" format with somewhat technical information - great for beginners and more advanced potters.

TOP -- MSDS -- ORTON FIRING TIPS -- OTHER ORTON LITERATURE -- DAWSON KILN SITTER INFO -- PRODUCT INFO --

DAWSON KILN SITTER INFORMATION

How to adjust your kiln sitter

These are the two most frequently used pages from the Dawson Operating Manual. It describes how to adjust your kiln sitter on manual kilns. This is extremely important to do on a regular basis!

Identify the kiln sitter parts

This shows an illustration of the four most popular Dawson Kiln Sitter models and identifies the parts by name - very important when talking to us about problems you might be having with your manual kiln and/or kiln sitter. Includes Model P, Model K, Model LT-3, and Model LT-3K.

Dawson Operating Manual for Model P and Model K Kiln Sitters

The full operating manual, including pages I have extracted and listed separately above. For Kiln Sitter Models P and K only.

Dawson Operating Manual for Model LT-3 and Model LT-3K Kiln Sitters

The full operating manual, including pages I've extracted and listed separately above. For Kiln Sitter Models LT-3 and LT-3K only.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Pure & Simple SlumpHump Molds

Informational brochure about the SlumpHump molds from Pure & Simple Pottery Products.

Pure & Simple Bat Molds

Informational brochure about the bat molds from Pure & Simple Pottery Products.

Pure & Simple Instructions for using SlumpHump and Bat Molds

Instructions and tips for using SlumpHump and Bat Molds from Pure & Simple Pottery Products.

The Gleco Trap

Information, tips, and hints on The Gleco Trap.

TOP -- MSDS -- ORTON FIRING TIPS -- OTHER ORTON LITERATURE -- DAWSON KILN SITTER INFO -- PRODUCT INFO --

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